WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Homelite Inc. of
Charlotte, N.C., is announcing a voluntary recall to repair
over 80,000 model BP-250 Homelite gasoline-powered backpack
blowers. If the blower's fuel lines are routed too closely
to the engine cylinder, they can crack and leak fuel,
presenting a fire hazard to consumers.

Homelite Inc. has received five reports of fuel lines
leaking. Two fires and one burn injury resulting in a
slightly singed back have been associated with these
blowers.

The model BP-250 Homelite blower measures 2.5 feet high
and 1.5 feet wide and has a 30 cubic centimeter engine. The
blower is mostly red with black components and is mounted on
a black frame to which shoulder straps are attached. The
words, "Homelite BP-250...Made in U.S.A." appear under the
blower's red support bar. The blowers involved in
this recall have UT numbers UT 08017F or UT 08017G and
serial numbers ranging from HP2000001 through HP3659999,
HQ0010001 through HQ3659999, and HR0010001 through
HR2109999 located on a sticker attached to the fuel tank.

Authorized Homelite dealers nationwide, including lawn
and garden and building supply stores, sold the blowers from
October 1994 through December 1996 for about $200.

Consumers should stop using the blowers immediately and
take them to the nearest Homelite servicing dealer for
repair. For the name of the nearest Homelite servicing
dealer or for more information about this recall, consumers
should call Homelite Inc. at (800) 242-4672 between 8 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.